Victory Grips' Athlete Crowned Fittest Teen

David Bradley is the fittest 15-year-old in the world. We had a chance to ask him some questions about his experience.

How does it feel to be the fittest 15-year-old in the world?

It is still sinking in, but it feels great! Two years ago, I set a goal to compete at the CrossFit Games and made sure to surround myself with people that had the same vision as I did and expertise needed to get me there. The work has paid off and the feeling is surreal. I am excited to see what this next season has in store for me! At the moment I am super happy and proud of myself.

What was the key aspect in your training that prepared you for the Games? 

A key aspect in preparing for the games was having access and exposure to experts and coaches in different areas of the sport. For instance, having a main coach, a swim coach, and a skills coach made a huge difference in feeling prepared.

Having a supportive group is critical- to train alongside of, to see at the box etc. My sister is a huge part of my daily journey.

What was your favorite workout at the Games?

My favorite workout at the Games was the Bi-couplet 1 & 2 which involved snatches and gymnastics.

What was your least favorite workout a the Games?

The ruck run was probably my least favorite, mainly because that's when I sprained my ankle. Got through it, though!

Tell us how the grips came into play during the Games workouts. On the last two workouts, there was a lot of gymnastics movements on the bar and by using Victory Grips, I was able to hold onto the bar longer and have a better grip. Also, I was one of the few in my division that remained RIP FREE! Also, my personal favorite is the X2 Freedom grips (fingerless).

How did you get into CrossFit?

At the age of 10, I was overweight and hated the way I looked. I was embarrassed and knew things needed to change. 

I was already doing CrossFit, but couldn't move the scale. My Aunt introduced me and my family to the sport. Two years into CrossFit I was in Miami at the Wodapalooza fitness festival watching my sister Elizabeth compete and I told my Mom that I wanted to be on the floor competing instead of only spectating. I was still a big kid and knew I needed to really work on my nutrition, so I downloaded MyFitnessPal and began to manage my food. I lost over 50 pounds! It was soon time for the Wodapalooza qualifier, and I made it! I was 13, and turned 14 on the competition floor in Miami! What a blast!

That next year I focused on gaining muscle and getting stronger and qualified again. This time I won my division and realized what we were doing was working! 1st place! The CrossFit Open was next! I placed first in the Open and then 3rd in the online qualifier, and I was headed to the  2019 Reebok CrossFit Games! It's been a crazy 12-18 months for sure!  

This year I won the title of the fittest 15-year-old on earth at the CrossFit Games. I am so thankful for this journey that involved so many people and support from companies like Victory Grips! 

Now that school is back in session, how will you find time to train, study, and have some sort of a social life?

I hybrid homeschool so I have flexibility but still have a tight schedule that needs to be followed in order to have time in the gym and friend time.

Do you play sports in school?  

I played baseball when younger but now my full focus is on mastering all the elements within CrossFit.  

What Games athlete do you look up to and why?

There are two athletes that I really admire and respect. Those are Noah Ohlsen and Chandler Smith- because of their contagious attitudes towards life, their faith in God, the sport of CrossFit, and their fellow athletes. They have all personally encouraged me a lot and set good examples.

What made you gravitate toward Victory Grips vs all the other grips out there?

After trying multiple brands of grips, I found that Victory grips were my favorite on the market and allowed me to train harder without the worry of ripping. Victory Grips have made a huge difference in my training.

What advice would you give to parents of teenagers to help them encourage their son or daughter to try CrossFit? 

CrossFit has made such a difference in my self-confidence, image acceptance, and overall strength and cross-training. If your teens/kids struggle with their weight, anxiety, image issues, confidence or just want to get stronger and more fit, get them to a local CrossFit box with a great supportive community!  All ages in the gym together, working towards a goal- it just works!